There's no doubt that Celtic played well but did little to stop them. We failed to press, gave them room to control the game and were wasteful in possession.
There were three changes to the Motherwell team selection from the midweek victors in Dingwall. Ripley was returned for his last appearance in claret and amber and he was joined with Gomis and Watt. Samson took up his usual position on the bench, Hammell was injured and Lasley served the first of his three match suspensions.
It was 0-0 at this stage!
Johnson stood in at left back with Ainsworth in front. At the other side Watt was at right back and it was quickly obvious that we would be on the receiving end of multiple Celtic attacks. Moult and McDonald played in advanced positions and the opposition simply waltzed through our midfield and camped outside our penalty area intent on picking out scoring chances.
Ripley had earned his appearance money before the first of three first half goals was conceded. He used his height to tip over, his feet to scramble and a completed a smothering run but in 21 minutes Tierney drove low to the right corner from the edge of the box to open the floodgates.
Ten minutes later we were three down. Rogic was presented with an easy tap in when he collected a rebound off the woodwork and while we were still attempting to regain composure Lustig added the third with an unmarked header at the far post.
We were unable to hold the ball and possession was surrendered too easily. There were a couple of corners at the Celtic end to give our defence some relief but traffic was one way. Some restructuring was needed at the break.
Chalmers and Kennedy were in place as the game restarted in the hope that a revised defence could stop the rot. Ainsworth and Watt had early showers. McDonald retreated and Johnson took up his normal position. We won an early corner after good work from Cadden but it was a false hope.
Celtic picked us off and rattled in goals from Armstrong, Roberts and Christie before Aitchison, a 16 year old making his debut, scored number seven.
We had one shot on target, Gomis forced Gordon into his only save of the match before the referee gave us the relief of the final whistle.
It was a horrible afternoon and our only meagre consolation was that it made no difference to our final place in the table.
Celtic 7 Motherwell 0
Attendance 49,050
Team: Ripley, McManus, Ainsworth (Chalmers 45), Pearson, Johnson, Gomis, Moult, Cadden, Watt (Kennedy 45), Hall, McDonald